Climbing Harness Buying Guide

Climbing harnesses share the same basic features; waist and leg loops, buckles, belay loop, tie in points and gear loops. However, harnesses use different construction techniques and materials for different types of climbing. This buying guide takes you through the main features to look out for when selecting a climbing harness.

Climbing Harness Features

Waist Belt & Leg Loops

These are the main structural elements of any harness. They have to combine safety with comfort. Traditional construction uses a band of central webbing to provide strength. This is then surrounded by foam padding for comfort. A drawback of this system is that over time the foam may become compressed which can cause discomfort. There's also the added possibility that the narrower band of structural webbing could be felt through the foam. Many modern harnesses spread weight more effectively across the whole internal surface area of the waist and leg loops.

Buckles

Most modern harnesses now use auto locking buckles which are very quick and easy to adjust. When using traditional ‘double back’ buckles you need to make sure you pass the webbing back through the buckle to lock off. A majority of harnesses feature adjustable leg loops. These are particularly useful for traditional, alpine or winter climbers. This is due to the ability to create a good fit over any number of clothing layers. However, sport climbing harnesses use fixed size leg loops to save weight and bulk. These styles usually use a simple elastic cross-section to create a snug fit around the thigh.

Belay loop

This high strength loop of webbing is the focal point when belaying a climbing partner. Its vertical orientation allows the karabiner and belay plate to orient in the right direction for smooth belaying. Some models will have a wear safety marker encapsulated in the belay loop. If you begin to see this red marker appearing it means your harness is worn out and should be replaced.

Tie in loops

When attaching a rope to your harness using the usual figure of 8 or bowline knots, you'll pass the rope end through the lower and upper tie in holes. This means that both the waist band and the leg loops are independently attached to the rope. It’s safer and spreads the load more effectively than just tying in through the belay loop.

Gear loops

These are loops made of plastic or tough cord placed at intervals around the waist band. They are designed for carrying a rack of quickdraws, carabiners, protection, and slings. Many all round harnesses have four loops which covers most circumstances. However, a trad climbing harness may have 5 or more to provide space for extra gear on long routes. Lightweight sport harnesses may prioritise light weight by including only two gear loops for racking a set of quickdraws. Gear loops are non-structural, holding perhaps 5kg static load. You should never attach to a belay using a gear loop.

Ice clipper slots

Many multi-purpose climbing harnesses now include a few slots. These hold special karabiners in place for easy access to ice screws.

Haul loop

This is a small attachment point situated at the back of the waistbelt. It's used for trailing a rope behind you as you climb, without getting in the way by hanging from the front of your harness.  Most haul loops are non-structural so shouldn't be used as a principle attachment point to the rock.  However, they are useful for hanging chalk bags from.

Rear risers

Strips of elastic webbing connect the two leg loops to the back of the harness.  Adjusting the length allows you to alter the shape and feel of the harness.  The risers are frequently detachable which allows the leg loops to be removed while staying tied in at the waist.  This is ideal when adding or removing extra layers of legwear (or when nature calls).

Types Of Climbing Harness

All harnesses are a crucial part of the safety chain when climbing. However, some design differences make some models more suitable for particular types of climbing.

All round

The ‘typical’ harness is midweight with good support and breathable foams. Both the waist and leg loops will be adjustable. There are usually four gear loops and a couple of ice clipper slots. These harnesses will tackle any challenge. They are suitable for those who climb both indoors and outdoors, on rock and mountaineering.  

Winter

In winter, ordinary harnesses (using open cell foam) can absorb water and then freeze. This creates a solid, cold, unmanageable ring. Specific winter harnesses will use a closed cell foam that doesn’t absorb water. These foams are more substantial and robust but less breathable and therefore less suited for hot summer cragging. You will also get a healthy number of large gear loops and ice clipper slots, plus adjustable leg loops to accommodate multiple layers. 

Trad

As with winter climbing, traditional climbing can involve the use of a large rack. This is particularly so for longer multipitch outings. This means a minimum of four gear loops and sometimes more may be required. Adjustable leg loops are useful as are rear haul loops.  

Sport

Sport climbing requires minimal hardware beyond a set of quickdraws.  Saving weight can also be crucial in order to maintain energy. Hence specific sport climbing harnesses strip back the excess to achieve the lightest possible weight. They will have fixed leg loops, very breathable mesh-based foams and could even cut gear loops back to two. Some experienced alpinists will also use these harnesses to benefit from the weight reduction. 

Alpine

Designed for easy mountaineering. Glacier travel and ski touring, ‘bod’ style harnesses are made from simple webbing. This makes them very light, packable and good for use in poor weather. A threaded waist loop and clip buckle system on the legs allow the harness to be put on without stepping into the leg loops. Hence no need to take off your crampons first. This kind of harness is worn over a full set of mountaineering clothing which acts as padding.

Fitting A Climbing Harness

Every harness is different, just like every climber. Getting the right fit may involve trying several different brands and models to see what feels best.

Think what you’ll be wearing

For summer cragging or indoor climbing the chances are that you will be wearing a T-shirt 90% of the time. If you’re an alpinist or Scottish winter climber, you will need to accommodate many layers of fleece and GORE-TEX. Wearing the appropriate clothing when you test harnesses should help you get the right size. If you do a bit of everything then try and find a harness with sufficient adjustment to work over any number of layers. The right size usually has a bit of +/- adjustability left to take account of any future situation.

Put on the harness

Hold the harness by the waist belt with the belay loop positioned front and centre. Check that there are no twists in the belay or leg loops. The two leg loops should hang underneath with their buckles (if any) placed towards the front outside of the thigh. Step in. The waist belt should sit snuggly over the hips, at a similar height to a backpack hipbelt – harnesses aren’t worn slouchy! Tighten the waist buckle (being sure to double back if necessary). Relax or tighten the rear risers if the leg loops feel constrictively high or sloppily low. Then tighten any leg buckles to get a snug fit.

Always hang in store

The true test of a harness fit comes when it has to take your weight. For this reason many stores have a suspension point where you can spend time hanging in each harness. While hanging, you should be able to stay upright easily (not tend to lie back). Check that the waist belt is supportive but doesn’t dig in. Try to minimise any gaps between you and the harness; there should be roughly a finger’s width difference. Leg loops don’t need to be cinched in too tight, but should just be comfortably snug. If necessary adjust the rear webbing risers to change the height of the leg loops.

Men’s vs. Women’s

Women’s harnesses are shaped differently. The waist-leg loop ratio will be smaller and there will be a longer rise between the waist and leg loops. Slender women may find that some men’s harnesses feel too bulky and stiff, perhaps digging in at the ribs. Harnesses designed for women shouldn’t cause this problem.

Care & Inspection

Keep your harness somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight. Most manufacturers provide a guide to lifespans based on different levels of use and storage. This is usually around 10 years of occasional use and appropriate storage. Frequent use and heavy falls can reduce lifespan much more quickly. It’s worth giving your harness a regular visual inspection to check for signs of wear. Finally, if you take a spectacularly big fall it may be time to consider retiring your harness.